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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
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Cllr Mrs Land had sent an apology for her absence due to a
family emergency. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 4th FEBRUARY 2009 It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Tunbridge and seconded by Cllr Mrs Chubb that the minutes were a true and accurate record. Cllr Webb abstained as he had not been present at the meeting. The remainder of the Parish Council was all in favour and Cllr Stuart signed the minutes. YOUTH PARISH COUNCIL REPORT No member of the Youth Parish Council attended the meeting. MATTERS ARISING Cllr Jay enquired if a date and venue had been arranged for a meeting of the Traffic Committee. Cllr Stuart asked the Clerk to book the Village Hall or its Committee Room for a meeting at 6pm on Monday 30th March and invite Cllr Jay, Cllr Mrs Land, Cllr Nicholas, Cllr Stuart, Dr Peter Stephenson, David and Jan Hughes and David and Jenny Roberts to attend. Cllr Nicholas reported on his meetings with Amanda Keys (GCC PROW officer) regarding the forthcoming public local inquiry into the path known locally as the Barracks footpath. Cllr Nicholas stated that Ms Keys was immensely helpful and had put a huge amount of work into preparing this application. The inquiry is a very rigorous process and it has been in excess of 10 years since GCC considered the original application which it voted to accept because of its proven use. As objections had been lodged the outcome of the application will now be determined by this inquiry. The inquiry is to be held in the Village Hall on Wednesday 15th July starting at 10am. Cllr Nicholas briefed the Parish Council on the process of the inquiry. Ms Keys would like volunteers at the inquiry to read their statements and be subject to questions. Cllr Nicholas asked Parish Councillors to guide him as to which of those who made statements would be prepared to volunteer. Cllr Jay and Cllr Kimberley both disagreed with the conclusion of Cllr Parsons (GCC) that back filing earth works on Lake 16 had ceased and asked the Clerk to inform Cllr Parsons that the work was continuing. CLERK’S REPORT On Thursday 26th February I attended a Chartered Parishes meeting held in the Conference Room of Barnwood Fire Station, Gloucester. There was an update from Sheila Corkett Partnership Manager, on how the consultation of the new partnership has been progressing. The partnership consists of representatives from Gloucestershire Highways, Gloucestershire County Council and Gloucestershire Constabulary all now sharing part of the 5th floor in Shire Hall. This partnership will eventually lead to a better understanding of the problems and frustrations which blight the coordination of traffic matters in the county and should, in future, make the implementation of schemes that much more easier. Due to my absence on annual leave during February there were 10 working days available. During this time I averaged 4 hours 20 minutes per day which is well in excess of my contract. REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAYING FIELDS & VILLAGE MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE HELD ON MONDAY 9th MARCH 2009 Cllr Caunce, Cllr Mrs Chubb, Cllr Harris, Cllr Kimberley, Cllr Nicholas, Cllr Stuart and Cllr Mrs Tunbridge attended the meeting. Cllr Caunce had opened the meeting at 7pm. Matters Arising from previous Minutes Provision of indoor facilities for youth groups. Cllr Kimberley stated that there was a growing concern from organisers of the youth groups, especially Young Gloucestershire, on the lack of progress in providing an enclosed venue for off street activities. The Clerk enquired why the groups had not availed themselves of offers from the churches in the village. Cllr Kimberley pointed out that the accommodation suggested was fragile and furthermore some of the youths might be intimidated by using church property for their activities. Cllr Caunce argued that it was important to demonstrate a need for such accommodation in order to drive the scheme forward. Cllr Harris had been in contact with Ian Kennedy from the Scout group who informed him that he was waiting for the association to respond to his enquiry about the use of the Scout Hut in Berkeley Close. Cllr Nicholas would make enquiries about the availability of empty warehousing on the industrial site off Broadway Lane. Page 2510 – Certification of MUGA. The situation had not changed. £2,000 is being withheld from Park Leisure’s account until the remedial work has been completed. When the job has been completed satisfactorily the remaining payment will be made and the Completion Certificate presented to Rosemary Lynn (CDC) for accreditation by the BLF (Big Lottery Fund). Page 2510 – Bus Shelter at the Lennards. Cllr Mrs Chubb would liaise with Gloucestershire Constabulary on the positioning of the shelter. Cllr Mrs Chubb stated that the preferred suppliers of the “off the shelf” shelter preferred to erect the structure prior to the base being laid. Cllr Stuart stated that before contractors could estimate for laying a concrete base it would be necessary to peg out the site. Contractors should be asked to quote to cut out and remove the turf, prepare a firm level base of approximately 6 inches depth of concrete. The Clerk will ask Kevin Messenger, Dean Wheeler and Will Daniels to quote for the work. Page 2510 – “Shorncote Link”. Cllr Stuart had a further meeting with Mike Barton and Sarah MacDonald (PROW officers GCC) to discuss the diversion of the footpath on Mrs Ruth Berry’s land alongside the hedge adjacent to the football pitches. From correspondence received it has been recommended that part of BSC 6 and BSC 7 is extinguished. Estimates of the cost are £2,300 which would include about £900 for local press advertising. If the Parish Council is minded to agree with the plan for the public rights of way at Upper Up, Cllr Stuart volunteers to negotiate with Mrs Berry. It was proposed by Cllr Nicholas and seconded by Cllr Jay that the Parish Council gives Cllr Stuart authority to negotiate on its behalf with Mrs Berry to achieve a positive result for the planned realignment of the public rights of way on Upper Up playing fields and Mrs Berry’s adjacent field. The Parish Council was all in favour. It was also agreed that it would be worth while waiting for the outcome of the inquiry into the Barracks footpath before proceeding with the Upper Up changes. Murphy will complete the reinstatement of the new pathway on Upper Up later this week and grass seeding will take place later. Work on the Bow Wow steps by Steve Hanson and the Payback in the Community team was awaited. The Clerk had contacted Adrian Gibbs who verbally confirmed that he intended to start grass cutting around the 23rd of March. Cllr Stuart asked the Clerk to have Mr Gibbs contact him before cutting the sides of the lake at Upper Up. INSPECTION REPORTS Cerney Wick Robert Franklin Way Upper Up GROUND MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS Two contractors who had been unsuccessful in their quotations for the ground maintenance contract had enquired why this should be. The Clerk was asked to reassure both that all quotations had been considered in detail and that the Parish Council greatly appreciated the effort made by the contractors in submitting their tenders. One contractor had suggested that his estimates had been used as a “stalking horse” which was totally rejected by members of the committee. RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE The Committee recommended that the Finance Committee agrees to pay R.O.W. Berry for the reinstatement work carried out at Robert Franklin Way play area. It was proposed by Cllr Caunce and seconded by Cllr Kimberley that the Committee recommended that the Finance Committee accepts the quotation from R.O.W. Berry for £85 to repair the locking mechanism on the notice board at Clarks Hay. The Committee was all in favour. It was proposed by Cllr Stuart and seconded by Cllr Caunce that the Committee agrees to the quotation from R.O.W. Berry for £35 to repair the vandalised picnic table previously sited by the lake on the Upper Up. The Committee was all in favour. The Committee asked the Clerk to inform the Finance Committee that it had agreed under its discretionary payment power to ask R.O.W. Berry to repair the vandalised bench, now resting in Cllr Stuart’s garden, for the sum of £35. PREPARATIONS FOR GRAND OPENING OF FACILITIES ON UPPER UP PLAYING FIELDS The Committee agreed to a suggestion from Cllr Caunce that a sub committee be convened to plan for the official opening of facilities at Upper Up, including the completion of the sewerage works, the MUGA and shelter installation and the rebuilding of the Football Club’s changing rooms. The Clerk was to invite members of the Parish Council, Youth Parish Council, Tennis, Football and Cricket Clubs, District Councillors and Ian Kennedy as a representative of the Street Fair Committee and Scout Association to attend a meeting at 7pm on Monday 23rd March to formulate plans for the event. The Clerk was asked to book either the Village Hall or its Committee Room for the occasion. The Parish Council agreed to a suggestion from Cllr Jay that an item to release funds for the event be included in the agenda for next month’s Finance committee. COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS Cllr Stuart reminded members of the Committee that the next Police Panel would take place in Siddington on 15th April. Cllr Harris reported on his snow warden activities during February. He asked that Clerk suggests to Gloucestershire Highways that the streets leading to the school from Broadway Lane be included in secondary gritting activities in future. The school had remained closed for an extra day because Berkeley Close, and especially the turn around area outside the school, had not been salted when all other roads in the area had been cleared. The Clerk was asked if Adrian Gibbs had accepted the ground maintenance contract. Although the Clerk confirmed that he had written to Mr Gibbs and spoken to him on the telephone, there had been no written confirmation of his acceptance. Cllr Harris reported that the PROW finger post sign with dog mess bin attached had been removed from the entrance to the Bow Wow. The sign post had been found down stream and cut up. There was no sign of the dog mess bin. The Clerk was asked to inform GCC PROW and request a replacement sign. Cllr Harris asked the Clerk to report to Gloucestershire Highways that an Ash tree and an adjacent wall had been damaged in Bow Wow when one of the poplars had fallen. Cllr Harris would liaise with Cllr Webb and carry out the annual tree survey in the near future. Cllr Nicholas reported on the inaugural meeting of the Composting Club. Cllr Nicholas was disappointed that only 6 new faces had attended and he remains to be persuaded if the idea is worthy of investment. Cllr Jay emphasised that the plan was for the medium term and would surely develop over time. It was proposed by Cllr Nicholas and seconded by Cllr Harris that the Parish Council underwrites the cost of the initial building work to start the project to the sum of £1,200. The Parish Council was all in favour. Cllr Mrs Chubb requested Cllr Harris for direction on how to manage the inter parish tree competition. There was some confusion over where the instructions were located. Cllr Kimberley suggested that Cllr Mrs Chubb contact Kim Carter from the Play Group for further information. Cllr Mrs Tunbridge was concerned with the increase in fly tipping on Northmoor Lane. Cllr Nicholas stated that it was illogical for the CDC to restrict access to official dumps and then expect contractors to make their arrangements to use the facility the day before. The outcome was inevitable through the evidence of increased fly tipping. The Clerk was asked to write to CDC to thank it for its prompt response to a recent incident but to suggest that current regulations provokes such behaviour. Cllr Kimberley complained about the amount of dog mess now appearing in and around Beverstone Road. He asked the Clerk to enquire if signs could be provided to encourage animal owners to clear up after their pets and for the wardens to focus their attention on this area. It was further suggested that the dog mess bin, currently at the start of Gypsy Lane, be moved to where the “short cut” breaks through the established fence in order that the receptacle is in a more convenient location. TASK LIST The Clerk read the list of items on the Task List some of which had been accomplished and others outstanding but in hand. CORRESPONDENCE Lady Fanshawe responded to the enquiry from the Parish Council over which sections of the river Churn she claimed the riparian rights by asking if the Parish Council wished to know which part of the river bank she considered her responsibility. The Clerk was to reply in the affirmative. The Clerk was to ask Cllr Parsons (GCC) if he would kindly share his evidence on the granting of permission to General Walker to plant the Poplars in Bow Wow 35 years ago. There being no further business Cllr Caunce had closed the meeting at 8.27pm. REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HELD ON MONDAY 9th MARCH 2009 Cllr Jay, Cllr Nicholas and Cllr Webb had attended the meeting. Cllr Jay opened the meeting at 8.30pm. Apology SPREAD SHEET ANALYSIS Cllr Jay noted that with the period almost complete the expenditure detailed on the spread sheet was in order. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACCEPTANCE FROM THE PLAYING FIELDS AND VILLAGE MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE The Playing Fields and Village Maintenance Committee recommended that the Finance Committee agrees to pay R.O.W. Berry for the reinstatement work carried out at Robert Franklin Way play area; accepts the quotation for £85 to repair the locking mechanism on the notice board at Clarks Hay; agrees to the quotation from R.O.W. Berry for £35 to repair the picnic table previously sited by the lake at Upper Up. The Finance Committee was in agreement with all the recommendations. It was proposed by Cllr Nicholas and seconded by Cllr Kimberley that the Parish Council accepts the recommendations of the Playing Fields and Village Maintenance Committee. The Parish Council was all in favour.
Cllr Jay had inspected the invoices and agreed the Clerk’s travel expenses for February. The Committee recommended that the Parish Council agrees to make the above payments. It was proposed by Cllr Jay and seconded by Cllr Caunce that the Parish Council agrees to make the payments recommended by the Finance Committee. The Parish Council was all in favour.
CORRESPONDENCE There being no further business Cllr Jay had closed the meeting at 9.10pm REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE HELD ON MONDAY 9th MARCH 2009 Cllr Mrs Chapman, Cllr Nicholas and Cllr Webb attended the meeting. Cllr Nicholas had opened the meeting at 9.10pm. Apology LDF (Local Development Framework) PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY COTSWOLD DISTRICT COUNCIL 08/03459/FUL 09/00127/FUL New Details It was proposed by Cllr Jay and seconded by Cllr Caunce that the Parish Council ratifies the above decisions of the Planning Committee. The Parish Council was all in favour. Cllr Jay and Cllr Nicholas declared a prejudicial interest as they were friends of the applicant and left the room. Cllr Webb stood in for Cllr Nicholas. 08/03700/FUL Amended Details There was no deadline set for a response to the amended
details and the original deadline was about to expire when notification of the
changes had been promulgated. The Clerk was to ask CDC Planning for an
explanation and also why the Planning Officer insisted on rough cast rendering
when none of the other properties in this area had this applied and the
applicant did not want it either. Cllr Jay returned to the room. Cllr Nicholas maintained his absence declaring a prejudicial interest as the applicant was a client of his firm. Cllr Harris and Cllr Mrs Tunbridge also declared prejudicial interests and left the room as the applicant was a client of both of them. 09/00264/FUL Cllr Nicholas returned to the room and resumed his report on the Planning Committee meeting. Cllr Harris and Cllr Mrs Tunbridge also returned to the room. APPLICATIONS APPROVED 08/03503/FUL CT.1454/4/X 08/03548/FUL CT.2648/4/D 08/03700/FUL CT.1347/B 09/00127/FUL CT.4067/2/Z CT.2648/3/L APPLICATION WITHDRAWN 09/00064/FUL CALOR VILLAGE OF THE YEAR COMPETITION Cllr Stuart had analysed the requirements for the Calor Gloucestershire Village of the Year competition 2009. Villages will be judged across five categories: Children and Young People; Economic Development and Enterprise; Healthier Communities and Older People; Natural Built Environment and Safer and Stronger Communities. The competition is about recognising, rewarding and encouraging vibrant and sustainable village communities which pull together to make the best of local opportunities through both good times and bad. Cllr Kimberley agreed to make the response for the Children and Young People’s section. It was suggested that Emily Hallett from Young Gloucestershire, members of the YPC and Katherine Isles might also contribute. Cllr Nicholas would oversee the response to Economic Development and Enterprise possibly with the help of Raymond Fenton. Cllr Jay, Cllr Mrs Land, Cllr Stuart and Reta May Matthews would be invited to make the response for the Healthier Communities and Older People section. Cllr Caunce and Cllr Harris would take on the Natural Built Environment. Cllr Jay and Cllr Stuart will make the case for Safer and Stronger Communities and invite the vicar, Revd David Bowers and Tony Squire to participate also. The deadline for completion was Friday 8th May. Cllr Stuart will forward the web link to all Parish Councillors in order that they have access to the relevant sections for completion. CORRESPONDENCE
COUNCILLORS' REPORTS Cllr Nicholas reported that the state of the verge, outside Chapel Cottage, needs to be carefully monitored as contractors’ vehicles were cutting up the surface. Cllr Jay noted that the river bank verges through Bow Wow had been top dressed and the bank reseeded. BSC12 the footpath from the George pub car park was
impassable as it was very overgrown and part of it had been claimed by the
river. The Clerk will contact Mike Barton from GCC PROW to see if there is a
possible solution to this problem. Cllr Caunce reported that he had been in contact with Max Jones from GCC Trading Standards about the advertisements on Waters Edge near to the junction of Cerney Wick Lane, Station Road and Spine Road junction. Cllr Caunce reported that a towed caravan, sited on the car park of the Crown Inn, Cerney Wick was permanently occupied and asked fellow Councillors to keep a watchful eye on the situation. Cllr Harris asked the Clerk to remind the Enforcement Officer that the advertising signs on Spring Lake on the corner of Station Road and Spine Road were still in place. Cllr Harris reported that the sewage leak in Station Road, near Lakeside car park, continued. The Clerk will remind Hilary Beach (CDC) of the matter and ask her to investigate as a matter of urgency. Cllr Mrs Chapman reported that the pipework as well as the gullies through Cerney Wick needed to be cleaned. The Clerk will inform Chris Franklin, Gloucestershire Highways of her concerns. Cllr Nicholas reported on the potentially dangerous condition of the road from Ewen to South Cerney, specifically, between Tudmore Cottage and Berry Farm crossroads (Ashton Keynes/Cirencester/South Cerney/Ewen) when water accumulates in a hollow in the road after rain. It is especially dangerous at night time when drivers can be caught unaware when they drive through the resultant mini flood after a rain shower. The drains possibly need to be cleared. The Clerk will ask Kent Harrison, Clerk to Siddington Parish Council to report the incident to Gloucestershire Highways. Cllr Caunce suggested to Cllr Nicholas that he could telephone Gloucestershire Highways on 08000 514 514 and report the incident himself. CERNEY NEWS ITEMS An invitation to interested residents to attend a meeting to plan for the official of the schemes on Upper Up. Notification of the public inquiry which will be held to determine the outcome of the application by the Parish Council to change the status of the Barracks footpath. There being no further business Cllr Stuart closed the meeting at 9.50pm. |
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